Navy’s Niumatalolo a long shot at best

Do not expect Ken Niumatalolo to interview with Vanderbilt for its head coaching job before or after the Army-Navy game, a Navy spokesperson told me Thursday morning.

Navy football SID Scott Strasemeier offered those sentiments in an e-mail following today’s report that Vanderbilt would like to gauge Niumatalolo’s interest in the position and hopefully get an interview after Saturday’s game.

“He is firmly committed to coaching at the Naval Academy,” Strasemeier wrote.

This will not keep Vanderbilt from putting in a phone call Saturday night, assuming the search is still going. But Vice Chancellor of Athletics David Williams understands Niumatalolo is a long shot.

About The Author

Jeff Lockridge

I have been on the Vanderbilt beat since 2009, at The Tennessean since 2000 and a sports journalist since 1997. Prior to Vanderbilt, I covered primarily high schools from 2000-09. My reporting history also includes stints covering the Titans, Auburn and minor league baseball. I'm a Nashville native and a graduate of Overton High (1993) and Austin Peay (1997). I live in Fr